Great water quality begins on your land. To improve water in a stream or lake, we first need to improve how water moves over the land and into the stream or lake. How you manage your land - agricultural or urban - makes an impact on our water.

While individuals make the difference, landowners can make a stronger impact as part of an organized watershed project. The DNR and other organizations are here to help you by providing assistance in a number of areas, from learning how to control pollution on your farm or in your home, to creating a watershed project.

Organizing a watershed project: Starting a project: an overview Watershed Development and Planning Assistance Grant program Technical Guide: Watershed Project Planning Protocol (*.pdf) List of funding sources (*.pdf) Apply for watershed improvement grants

For landowners: Find a local watershed project Funding for nonpoint source pollution controls List of funding sources (*.pdf) DNR Animal Feeding Operations DNR Private Lands Biologists DNR Forestry Learn more about conservation practices (from Iowa NRCS)

For all Iowans: Learn about nonpoint source pollution Volunteer water monitoring with IOWATER Water Quality Improvement Plans (TMDLs) What you can do in your home (From the EPA) Backyard and urban conservation (from Iowa NRCS)